Frequently asked questions

The questions we are asked most about Stellarium Mobile. If yours is not here, write to [email protected].

The screen does not move with my phone

The sensor mode works on any device with a magnetometer, the compass. To check that yours has one, look up your device on gsmarena.com under Features, Sensors.

Then make sure the sensor mode is set to Auto in the app: press the small compass button at the bottom centre of the screen, or go to Menu, Settings, Sensors. Once set to Auto, point the back of the device at the sky.

Keep magnets and metal parts away from the device: they disturb the sensors, and protective covers often have some.

How do I change the date and time? Can the app show the sky in the past or the future?

Press the time in the lower right corner of the screen, then swipe up. Adjust the date and time with the arrows, or type them in. The app covers the years -4999 to 4999. Years before our era follow the astronomical count, where year 0 is 1 BC: 30 BC is -29, and Caesar’s death in 44 BC is -43.

How do I change the language?

The app follows the language of your phone. On Android 13 and later you can also choose a language for Stellarium only: open the phone’s Settings, then Apps, Stellarium, Language.

Where are the Android home and back buttons? I cannot exit the app

Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and the usual Android buttons appear; this is the standard behaviour of a full-screen app. There is also an Exit entry in the app’s menu.

Is there a user guide?

Yes, in the app: Menu, Help and feedback, User guide.

Where are the satellites?

They are in the app. Long press the Labels button to choose how many satellite labels you see. Satellite and comet data is updated at each start of the app when it is online.

How do I show the constellation names only, without the artwork?

Long press the Constellations button and pick what to show.

I have a new device and cannot get my purchase back. How do refunds work?

A purchase is tied to the Google or Apple account you bought it with: sign in to the store with that account on the new device and restore the purchase from the app’s upgrade screen. For anything about a purchase, a subscription or a refund, write to [email protected] with the email address of the account used for the purchase, or the order number from Google. On iOS, refunds go through Apple: request a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple.

I cannot connect my telescope

Read the telescope control guide: the connection types, the SynScan and computer bridges, and the list of controllers that work. If it still does not connect, write to [email protected] with your setup, in particular the brand of your telescope controller.